we were innocents
traveling life
common pathways
paved worn with
shared values
inherent diversities
channeled to loyalty
born free in spirit
of commonwealth
not a melting pot
but a mixing bowl
blending proud
colors and creeds
annealed dreams
yield exceptional
tensile strength
making possible
unified purpose
achieving great
civilized things
pushing men to
and through their
potential toward
prominent privilege
obtained of an
empire of intellect
so it once was
so it seems to the
eyes of my memory
visions so real
I can reach back
and touch them
feel every last aspect
of greatness the
pulsing pure essence
amassed with nobility
standing as witness
oath-sworn unto truth
I concede that I very
well could be mistaken
that none of it
ever did happen
my habit of painting
the past is perhaps
foolish labor
of mind over matter
distorted romantic and
stubborn with sentiment
I would be quite the saddest thing if one couldn’t take a nostalgic view – moreover and quite often there is more than just a grain of truth in such reflection. A poem of great eloquence; a little piece of history for someone to discover a 100 years hence. Superb.
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as always, I sincerely appreciate your comments
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melancholic . . .
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Love this Paul. It makes me wonder…how much of my memories are really memories and how much of it is things I’ve heard from my older brothers and that form a “memory” in my mind. There are things that happened when I was very young that I couldn’t possibly remember, but I do. False memories perhaps?
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I suppose in the final analysis it doesn’t matter – whether they are owned or borrowed, they are nonetheless part of us
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Oft times our memories are “tainted” by things like revisionistic history. One of the many reasons I love your poems is that I almost always learn a new word!! Thank you!
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your comments always cheer my day
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The poetry is great and the art just blows me away. Its raw, ethereal and a lil trippy. I love it.
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your comments are much appreciated
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Absolutely magnificent
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thank you most kindly, baldy
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Reblogged this on OUR POETRY CORNER.
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thank you for sharing my poem with your readers
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Lovely poem, makes me think…I know I embellish many memories and if it comforts me, so be it. Your words are always a lovely tapestry, Paul.
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sincere thanks
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Reblogged this on Poesy plus Polemics.
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Love the way you write and putting words together when you describe things, people, this life, etc. Excellent poem this one! 🙂
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I deeply appreciate that
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great
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thanks kindly
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“Painting the past”–I guess we all do that.
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to keep it from fading
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Pingback: False Memory | Penny Wilson Writes
Wow! What an awesome poem!!
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